Though it’s the base trim of Mazda’s sporty Miata lineup, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport Convertible still packs all the standard driving pizzazz of its more feature-laden siblings. Th...
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Though it’s the base trim of Mazda’s sporty Miata lineup, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sport Convertible still packs all the standard driving pizzazz of its more feature-laden siblings. This snappy 2-seater, when delivered with the standard 5-speed manual transmission, boasts handling worthy of cars costing thousands more, while offering a standard manually folding soft top, 16-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery and leather and simulated alloy cabin trim. Standard power windows and mirrors bless this hot little roadster, with power windows and mirrors, tilt-wheel steering, air conditioning and floor mats topping off the list of comfort and convenience features. Entertainment, meantime, comes compliments of an MP3-capable single-CD changer and 6 speakers. Should the available 6-speed automatic transmission be selected with the MX-5 Miata Convertible, expect standard cruise control, remote power door locks and steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls to be added to the amenities list. Unfortunately, luggage space is limited to an afterthought with only 5.3 cubic feet of trunk space, but a miniscule trunk is a fact of sports-car life.

Options for Mazda’s cool Miata Sport Convertible, meantime, include a 6-CD changer and satellite radio, while an Appearance Package adds a front air dam and chassis skirts and the available Convenience Package offers cruise control and a trip computer in the 5-speed stick-shift trims. An available power trunk opener and upgraded power windows can be delivered in either the manual- or automatic-endowed trims as part of the Convenience Package as well.

Standard power for the 2012 MX-5 Miata Sport Convertible consists of a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine and 5-speed manual transmission. Look for 167 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque with the stick shift, while a 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission is also available, boasting steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Beware, however, that the automatic delivers only 158 hp. Sport Convertible trims equipped with the 5-speed manual can expect 22 mpg city/28 highway, while the automatic-endowed trims will go through recommended premium gas at a 21/28 clip.

Standard safety features on the 2012 MX-5 Miata Sport Convertible include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control and side-mounted airbags with a head protection chamber. Sport Convertibles with the 6-speed automatic additionally boast standard front fog/driving lights.

An automobile for the sports-car purist, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Touring Convertible offers the heady handling of cars costing two and three times as much. Though this slick 2-seater ...
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An automobile for the sports-car purist, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Touring Convertible offers the heady handling of cars costing two and three times as much. Though this slick 2-seater is burdened with only 5.3 cubic feet of trunk space, it does sport standard 17-inch alloy wheels, a manually folding soft top, floor mats and cloth bucket seats and, with leather and simulated alloy cabin accents, just a hint of posh. Further standard amenities include remote power door locks, power windows and mirrors, cruise control, tilt-wheel steering, a universal remote garage door opener, air conditioning and steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls. Said audio, by the way, is provided by a 6-speaker, 6-CD changer that’s capable of MP3 playback. Options in the MX-5 Miata Touring Convertible include a Suspension Package with sport-tuned suspension, Bilstein shock absorbers, larger rear stabilizer bar and a limited-slip rear differential, as well as the Protection and Appearance packages with bumper protectors, as well as a front air dam, and side and rear under skirts, respectively.

The standard drivetrain offering with the 2012 MX-5 Miata Touring Convertible is a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine matched with a 6-speed manual transmission. This combo gets 167 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque and burns recommended premium unleaded at 21 mpg city/28 highway. A 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission sporting steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters is available to this midlevel trim, though it allows only 158 hp from the I4, and gas mileage figures stay the same.

Looking for a pure sports car at a decent price? Look no further than the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Convertible. This snazzy 2-seater offers exhilaration galore with its light...
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Looking for a pure sports car at a decent price? Look no further than the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Convertible. This snazzy 2-seater offers exhilaration galore with its light weight and sporty feel, while packing such standards as a manually folding soft convertible top, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated leather-trimmed upholstery and leather and simulated alloy cabin accents onto its sleek frame. Then there are the heated seats, tilt-wheel steering, automatic climate control, power windows and mirrors, universal remote garage door opener, cruise control and automatic day/night rear-view mirror, all standard. Entertainment, should the drive not be amusing enough, consists of a Bose premium sound system with an MP3-capable 6-CD changer and 7 speakers, including a subwoofer. Alas, only 5.3 cubic feet of trunk space will drastically limit the vacation wardrobe.

In any case, options include the Premium Package with keyless entry and ignition, satellite radio and a wireless cell-phone link starring Bluetooth hands-free technology, as well as the Appearance Package, with front air dam and side and rear under skirts. Further, a popular Suspension Package can equip this spiffy roadster with a sport-tuned suspension, Bilstein shocks, a larger rear stabilizer bar and a limited-slip differential for some serious back-road driving.

Powering the 2012 MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Convertible is a perky 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine that puts out 167 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque. A choice of two transmissions graces this spiffy roadster, with the standard gearbox being a nifty 6-speed manual transmission. An optional 6-speed shiftable automatic with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters is also available, though oomph is cut marginally to 158 hp. Mileage is a sharp 21 mpg city/28 highway with either transmission, and Mazda recommends burning premium unleaded gasoline.

Standard safety features in the 2012 MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Convertible include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control and dual side-mounted airbags with head protection chambers. Additionally, halogen front fog/driving lights are standard, while high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights and a remote antitheft alarm are optional with the Premium Package.

Replace the soft top in the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Touring Convertible trim with a push-button-retractable hard top and behold the Touring Convertible w/Retractable Hardtop sub-trim. This spif...
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Replace the soft top in the 2012 Mazda MX-5 Touring Convertible trim with a push-button-retractable hard top and behold the Touring Convertible w/Retractable Hardtop sub-trim. This spiffy 2-seater does wonders with windy roads, lets the sun shine in and, with only 5.3 cubic feet of trunk space, won’t burden the journey with excess baggage. This midlevel roadster also packs standard 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery and some luxury-hinting leather and simulated alloy cabin accents, as well as a pair of grime-grabbing floor mats. Standard remote power door locks, power windows and mirrors, tilt-wheel steering, cruise control, air conditioning, a universal remote garage door opener and steering-wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls also grace occupants of this sleek roadster with enough comforts and conveniences to make an already fun drive positively delightful. Finally, an MP3-capable 6-CD changer with 6 speakers can liven up that boring straightaway with a tune or two.

The most popular option for Mazda’s nifty MX-5 Miata Touring Convertible w/Retractable Hardtop ought to be the Suspension Package with its sport-tuned suspension system, larger rear stabilizer bar, Bilstein shocks and limited-slip rear differential. And if that isn’t enough, owners can select the available Appearance Package with front air dam, side skirts and rear under skirts and/or the Protection Package with front and rear bumper protectors.

As it does throughout the lineup, a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine powers the 2012 MX-5 Miata Touring Convertible w/Retractable Hardtop. Mated with the standard 6-speed manual transmission, this peppy I4 puts out 167 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque to the tune of 21 mpg city/28 highway. A 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters is also available to this rally-ready roadster, but power drops to 158 hp with no corresponding improvement in mileage.

Standard safety features for the 2012 MX-5 Miata Touring Convertible w/Retractable Hardtop include 4-wheel antilock braking (ABS), traction and stability control and side-mounted airbags with head protection chambers. Standard halogen front fog/driving lights are an additional standard safety feature on this midlevel 2-seater.

Again for 2012, Mazda has a sports car for the cornering-obsessed masses. The flagship MX-5 Miata Grand Touring Convertible w/Retractable Hardtop offers heady handling, standard 17-inch alloy wheels and a sun-splashed ride via its standard push-button-retractable convertible hardtop. Excess baggage is limited to whatever can be crammed into its 5.3 cubic feet of trunk space, while cabin storage is nearly non-existent as well. Standard heated leather-trimmed seats, however, not to mention simulated alloy and leather interior accents and automatic climate control keep driver and passenger in at least the approximation of cozy posh. Further standard amenities include tilt-wheel steering, power windows and mirrors and remote power door locks, as well as cruise control and a universal remote garage door opener. Entertainment, meanwhile, comes via a Bose premium sound system with an MP3-compatible 6-CD changer and 7 speakers, including a subwoofer. Options include an Appearance Package with front air dam and side and rear under skirts, as well as the Premium Package that includes keyless access and ignition, satellite radio and a wireless cell-phone link featuring Bluetooth hands-free technology. Finally, there’s the available Suspension Package, with Bilstein shock absorbers and a larger rear stabilizer bar bolstering a sport-tuned suspension system and limited-slip rear differential.